The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-19
Keeping up the Organization.


WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. g.
"On, yes, have been keeping an eye
on political movements" said Hon.
Stephen B. Elkins to the correspon.
dent, "There is not much going on
just now, l have had some recent
correspondence with our friends, so
as to ascertain from headquarters the
lay of the land. Our friends in the
contest of 1884 are still active and
eager. We have been building up
the weak places. l think our politi-
cal fences are in good ORDER"
"Then you intend 10 try it again ?"
81 did not say that. 1 only say
that our lines are in order, Wheth-
err Mr.. Blaine is candidate or not it
would be very poor politics to per.
NIT such an organization as rallies
around the name of Blaine to 90 to
pieces for want of nothing more than
leadership to keep it together for par
ty purposes in any direction"
"Then you think the Blaine or
ganization is as strong as it was four
years ago ??'
ut will be found so when the time
for action comes"
"Why are you waiting? 2"
"SimDly for the election of next
week to be over. We shall then have
some material to work on. We shall
know how we stand in some of the
pivotal States, Nearly If not quite
every State in the Union has an cleo
ton of some sort, but Massachusetts,
New York. New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia and Ohio will give
some pointers as to the drift of polit.
cal sentiment"
"Will there be conference then Z?
81 should not be surprised to hear
of one. The national committee will
meet in little over month. 1t may
be thought best to talk matters over
little sooner after the elections are
over"
1.-THE nomination of President
Cleveland throws down the gauntlet
to Blaine"
ut might be thought so, but the
nominotion of Cleveland does not
necessarily mean Blaine for the Re.
publicans. Blaine can have the nom.
nation if he wishes it. / consider
that point settled, if our information
is reliable, but it will remain for him
to say if he wants it, know he will
not attempt to force himself on the
ticket. ana does not accept it at all
unless he feels perfectly sure of sue
cess. He does not propose to take
the responsibility of defeat a second
time. Of course in 1884 the outcome
was just one of those unaccountable
accidents which have often occurred
in American politics, / don't think
Blaine needs vindication from such
defeat. We are now holding our fol-.
ces in line awaiting the progress of
events"
"Will Mr.. Blaine give his personal
attention to the perliminaries? ?"
mo, he will not. 1 received a let
ter from him yesterday. He will
not return to the United States until
next summer, and it may be even
later"
"What amuses me Is the studied
effort to make him out In such poor
health. In his letter he speaks of
himself and family as enjoying ex-
ceptionally excellent health. and as
having delightful time. Blaine rep
resents the great bulk of the senti-
ment and support of the Republican
party; so If he should decline to be
candidate for any reason. his friends
will be factor in determining who
shall he the nominee, so that makes
no difference in the end. There are
some people who make great bug
bear of Blaine in politics. 1, for one,
intend to be governed by the wisest
counsels of the leaders Of the party